The NHL cancelled the Maple Leafs referees at training camp. Then it turned out that they’d cancelled the offseason training by bringing in the “Barb Rule” in the new CBA, so what’s next?

You may have heard that other teams complained about the Leafs using real referees at training camp scrimmages. “It’s not fair,” was the cry heard round the NHL. So the Leafs had to stop practising like they meant it. Then we heard that the Leafs had to stop teaching their prospects how to skate properly in the offseason. “It’s not fair,” was again the cry, and so the Barb rule was enshrined in the CBA:

(b) Prohibited Off-Season Activities. Clubs are not permitted to have Club Coaching or Hockey Operations personnel (e.g., coaches, skating instructors, other Club employees, contracted service providers, etc.) participate in any on-ice sessions with Players. Clubs are not permitted to request or encourage Players to come to the Club’s home city during the off-season to utilize the Club’s arena/training/practice facility(ies) and/or to train with Club Coaching or Hockey Operations personnel. Clubs are not permitted to pay for Players’ travel costs, per diems or housing for Players who choose to stay in or come to the Club’s home city during the off-season to utilize the Club’s arena/training/practice facility(ies) and/or to train with Club Coaching or Hockey Operations personnel. In all instances, if Players choose to stay in or return to the Club’s home city to train over the summer, it must be on a Player-initiated basis only, and all associated costs must be borne by the Player. Clubs are not permitted to use electronic or computerized programs to track or monitor a Player’s offseason activity or conditioning. Clubs are not permitted to facilitate or pay for Players to receive training/conditioning services during the off-season from: (i) Club Strength and Conditioning Coaches who may own separate businesses and provide off-site/off-season services (even where Players may want to utilize such services during the off-season); or (ii) third-party services providers that may provide training and conditioning services to Players inside or outside of the Club’s home city (e.g., Gary Roberts, Adam Oates, etc.)

This is cancel culture in its purest form. Back when it was just ECHL teams complaining about the Newfoundland Growlers being too good, we all laughed, and enjoyed the Kelly Cup win, but now? Now they’re all after us, and they think its not fair that Toronto, uh, runs the team like a serious business.

It’s Not Fair

Kyle Dubas rocks the nerd glasses. Nope. It’s not fair, all NHL GMs have to have lasik surgery from now on. No sexy glasses!

Brendan Shanahan used to work for the NHL as head of Player Safety. It’s not fair! The Leafs should get automatic suspensions now, no questions asked. Oh, wait, maybe that’s been in effect for a while.

Brandon Pridham is really good with that salary cap stuff. It’s not fair! Let’s flatten the cap forever.

The Leafs were in a playoff spot at the end of the season. It’s not fair! Let everyone in to the Qualifying Round.

The Leafs keep giving out these signing bonuses, they’re huge, and it’s not fair! Glances at new CBA:

Hey, sometimes you win one.

The hub is in Toronto! The Leafs get everything! It’s not fair!

The situation room is right there in Toronto, so that means the Leafs get all the calls their way, and it’s not fair! Not only that the refs are all Canadian, and they favour the Leafs.

The Leafs get all the good time slots for their games, and you know what? It’s not fair.

Wait, Sunday not Saturday and a Tuesday afternoon? Never mind, it’s still not fair, and Toronto gets everything.

The Leafs get all the media attention and it’s not fair!

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How unfair is it that the Leafs get all this handed to them?

As unfair as the carnival games at the Ex?98
As unfair as it is to face an Auston Matthews shot from the doorstep?90
As unfair as your average Player Safety ruling?112
Way more unfair than that. The Leafs get everything just given to them with their money and their desire to win. 144
Editorial